Portable shelter

ABSTRACT

A portable shelter that can be towed by a single adult human. The portable shelter can have a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The portable shelter is modular and can be conjoined into multiple units.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable shelter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In times of dire distress, such as a natural disaster or a war, large numbers of people are temporarily displaced and mobilized away from their residences. In extreme cases, mass evacuations can reach into the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing their countries into surrounding countries unprepared for housing these people. Examples of these mass evacuations were witnessed during the Syrian refugee crisis stemming from the Syrian civil war and terrorist attacks that had plagued Syria and Iraq. Countless refugees flooded into nearby Mediterranean and European countries such as Italy, Greece, France and Germany.

Temporary refugee camps consisting mainly of tents, tarps and shipping containers were hastily set up in designated areas. The livability conditions in many of these refugee camps were poor and unsanitary, with many of the improvised accommodations lacking consistent protection from weather and disease.

One notorious camp, known as the Calais Jungle in France, had seen its population swell from 500 in 2014 to over 7000 in 2016. During that time, the temporary tents and improvised shelters had worn down, offering little to no protection against the wind and rain, and this provided ideal conditions for the spread of disease.

French authorities brought dozens of metal shipping containers into the camp. The authorities evicted the refugees from their tents and forced them to live in these steel containers. Although the shipping containers provided much better protection against the weather, many refugees complained of the Spartan appearance, the loss of the sense of community and the lack of mobility of these heavy containers. Hence, as the population grew, many of the refugees resorted back to the makeshift tents.

In late 2016, the Calais Jungle was forcibly torn down due to public outcry over the unhealthy conditions, forcing the refugees to resettle to other regions of France.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in part, a portable, shelter capable of multiple configurations.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a portable shelter having a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The portable shelter may include a rigid enclosure, the rigid enclosure including a primary section and one or more extendable secondary sections, where each secondary section may be substantially nested within the primary section or a further secondary section in the retracted configuration; a plurality of wheels attached to the underside of the primary section; and a ground support for the secondary section in the extended configuration, where the portable shelter is dimensioned to receive an adult human in the retracted configuration.

In some embodiments, the primary section may include a rigid frame attachable to a roof section, a floor section and a plurality of wall sections. In some embodiments, the external dimensions of the primary section may be about two meters in length, one meter in width, and one meter in height.

In some embodiments, the secondary section may be attachable to the primary section or to a further secondary section and may include a roof section, a floor section and a plurality of wall sections. The floor section of the primary section or the secondary section may include storage. The wall sections of the primary section or the secondary section may be detachable.

In some embodiments, the portable shelter may include two wheels. The wheels may be steerable. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may further include two fixed wheels. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may include a tow handle. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may be manually towable by a single adult human.

In some embodiments, the portable shelter may include a door. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may include a window.

In some embodiments, the ground support may be adjustable.

In some embodiments, the portable shelter may be waterproof or weather resistant.

In some embodiments, a plurality of portable shelters may be conjoined.

In some embodiments, the portable shelter may be disassembled. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may be disassembled into a flat pack.

This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front and door-side isometric view of an exemplary portable shelter in a retracted configuration in the design of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a rear and slide-out side isometric view of the exemplary portable shelter in a retracted configuration in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a front and door-side isometric view of the exemplary portable shelter in an extended configuration in the design of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a rear and slide-out side isometric view of the exemplary portable shelter in a retracted configuration in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 depicts the door-side end view of the portable shelter in comparison to an average size male adult;

FIG. 6 depicts the front-end view of the portable shelter in both the retracted and extended configuration in comparison to an average size male adult;

FIG. 7 depicts the front and door-side isometric view of the portable shelter in the retracted configuration with the entry door open;

FIG. 8 depicts the front and door-side isometric view of the portable shelter in the extended configuration with the entry door open;

FIG. 9 depicts the front and door-side isometric view of the portable shelter to display the interior space in the retracted configuration;

FIG. 10 depicts the front and door-side isometric view of the portable shelter to display the interior space in the extended configuration;

FIG. 11 depicts the front and door-side isometric cutaway view of the portable shelter to display the single adult individual occupancy in the retracted configuration;

FIG. 12 depicts the front and door-side isometric cutaway view of the portable shelter to display the 2 adult and 2 child occupancy in the extended configuration;

FIG. 13 depicts the bottom rear and slide-out-side isometric view of the portable shelter to display the sequence of the slide-out extension process in order to extend the shelter from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration;

FIG. 14 depicts the door-side and rear isometric cutaway view of the portable shelter to display the sequence of the slide-out extension process and the placement of the sectional floor storage bins to provide a level floor for the interior space in the extended configuration of the shelter;

FIG. 15 depicts the isometric cutaway view of the telescopic sections of the mobile shelter to display the slide-out extension sequence and the guard plates to prevent over-extension of the telescopic sections as well as an expanded view of the latch bolt used to prevent the telescopic sections from extending out when the shelter is being towed;

FIG. 16 depicts the door-side isometric cutaway view of the portable shelter to display the detachable front, door-side and rear panels as well as an expanded view of the bolts for unfastening or fastening the panels to the rigid frame of the shelter;

FIG. 17 depicts the door-side isometric cutaway view of a plurality of exemplary portable shelters to display the conjoining of these shelters to form a larger enclosure with shareable interior space;

FIG. 18 depicts the slide-out-side isometric cutaway view of a plurality of exemplary portable shelters and an expanded view of the nuts, bolts and corner brackets used to internally conjoin and fasten adjacent shelters to one another;

FIG. 19 depicts the slide-out-side isometric cutaway view of a plurality of exemplary portable shelters and an expanded view of the conjoined adjacent shelters to display the fastened bolt and water-tight weatherstrip;

FIG. 20 depicts the isometric view of an exemplary plurality of five conjoined portable shelters;

FIG. 21 depicts the isometric cutaway view of an exemplary plurality of conjoined portable shelters to display the shared interior space;

FIG. 22 depicts the isometric view of another configuration of an exemplary plurality of five conjoined portable shelters;

FIG. 23 depicts the isometric view of another configuration of an exemplary plurality of ten conjoined portable shelters capable of accommodating 40 people;

FIG. 24 depicts the isometric view of a cluster of the exemplary configuration of conjoined portable shelters in FIG. 23 capable of accommodating 160 people within an encampment;

FIG. 25 depicts the isometric expanded view of the independent adjustable leg height using pre-defined holes and pin dowel in a telescopic leg;

FIG. 26 depicts the isometric view of the portable shelter with the ability to be disassembled into a flat-packed configuration to reduce shipment volume;

FIG. 27 depicts the isometric view of a comparison of the containment of the portable shelter in the disassembled flat-pack configuration and the fully assembled portable shelter within a standard 40-foot shipping container.

FIG. 28 depicts a range of sizing for the portable shelter, providing specifically three different scales.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, provides, in part, a portable shelter capable of multiple configurations. In some embodiments, the portable shelter can provide storage accommodations for emergency supplies. In some embodiments, the portable shelter can provide housing accommodations for a single adult human or several individuals during, for example, periods of natural or man-made emergencies. In some embodiments, the portable shelter can provide individuals, such as refugees or other displaced persons with mobile, protected, and/or expandable shelter from weather elements such as rain, snow, wind and extreme temperatures. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may be conjoined with one or more portable shelters, as described herein, to provide, for example, a community meeting space, school, field hospital, or other temporary enclosed space. In general, a portable shelter as described herein may have a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include a main section and several telescopic, slide-out sections that enables the dwelling to extend from its retracted configuration to its extended configuration.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may be substantially waterproof or weather resistant.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include a substantially rigid frame. The frame may be made of a rigid, sturdy, lightweight and/or water-resistant material including, without limitation, aluminum or a thick PVC square tube. The frame may include waterproofing materials, for example, waterproof weatherstrips that may be placed along the edges of the frame in order to prevent air or water intrusion from the exterior space to the interior space. The frame may be built on top of a wheeled platform that can be towed. The frame may be capable of being disassembled.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include a primary section and one or more extendable secondary sections. Each primary section may include a roof section, a floor section and a plurality of wall sections, or panels, which may be detachably attached to the substantially rigid frame. Each secondary section may include a roof section, a floor section and a plurality of wall sections, or panels, which may be detachably attached to the primary section or to a further secondary section. The secondary sections may be substantially nested within the primary or further secondary sections when in, for example, the retracted configuration. For example, a first secondary section may be substantially nested within the primary section and a further secondary section (i.e., a tertiary section) may be substantially nested within the first secondary section. The panels may be made of a lightweight, water-resistant and/or impact-resistant material, including without limitation, plywood (for example with a waterproof paint coating), a twin-walled polycarbonate (such as those used in greenhouses) and/or acrylic plastic. In some embodiments, the panels may be made of a waterproof or weather resistant material. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may be constructed with a rigid frame including detachable hard-shelled walls, floor, roof, window and door surfaces that provide protection and insulation of the enclosed interior space from exterior weather elements such as rain, wind, snow and extreme temperatures. In alternative embodiments, the portable shelter may have soft-shelled sections stretched over a rigid frame. The portable shelter may be constructed of, without limitation, metals, plastics, glass, plexiglass, a rigid resined fiber (such as fiberglass or carbon fiber) or a fabric stretched between an additional rigid frame.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include internal connectors, such as internal connection brackets that can, for example, be utilized for securing the panels comprising the primary or secondary sections, such as the detachable front, door-side and/or rear panels, using for example rigid bolts. In some embodiments, the connectors may be used to attach the panels to the frame. In some embodiments, the connectors may be used to attach the panels to each other. The connectors may be located on the frame or the panels.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include guard plates, for example, slide-out guard plates, to prevent the secondary section from over-extending outside the telescopic range, which may help maintain the integrity of the seal between the interior and exterior space.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include a hinged or sliding door to for example provide ingress and egress of individuals or cargo. The door may be lockable. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include one or more hinged or sliding windows to provide ventilation of the internal space. The windows may be lockable. The door and/or window may be located in the wall section of the primary section or a secondary section.

In some embodiments, the panels comprising the primary or secondary sections, for example, the front, door-side and rear panels may be removable and may include fasteners, such as rigid bolts, that can be fastened or unfastened from within the interior of a portable shelter, as described herein, to for example provide security and/or the ability to exit in the case of any emergency.

In some embodiments, the floor sections may include storage. In some embodiments, movable floor storage bins may be provided to for example equalize the floor heights of the shelter in its extended configuration and/or provide an enclosed and secure cabinet space.

In the extended configuration, in some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include a ground support, such as one or more legs, for one or more of the secondary sections. It is to be understood that the precise number of legs is not important, as long as each secondary section is stable and substantially level and/or orthogonal to the primary section. In some embodiments, the leg(s) may be hinged. In some embodiments, the leg(s) may be lockable. In some embodiments, the leg(s) may prevent the secondary section from retracting back into the primary section.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include wheels or other means for mobility. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include two steerable wheels. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may further include two fixed wheels. The ground support and/or wheels may provide an elevated and secure sitting and/or sleeping accommodation, maintain dryness and/or insulation within the interior of the portable shelter.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein can be manually towed, when in the retracted configuration, for example by a single adult human. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may include a wheeled chassis. In some embodiments, the portable shelter may include a steerable chassis. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may weigh about 50 kilograms or less. Such a unit may be portable over rougher or steeper surfaces using additional human labor. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include fasteners, such as latch locking bolts, to prevent the secondary sections from extending or sliding out into the extended configuration for example when the portable shelter is being towed over an uneven surface.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may be conjoined with one or more similar portable shelters to extend the overall interior space for, for example, common occupation by multiple individuals. For example, a configuration consisting of a group of multiple dwellings can be achieved by detaching the removable front and side panels of each dwelling within the group and bolting each dwelling internally to each other, thereby sharing the interior space of every dwelling within the group. In some embodiments, some or all of the walls of an individual shelter may be removed when in a conjoined configuration in order to create larger interior rooms or spaces. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include internal connectors, for internally conjoining two or more shelters of the same invention using for example rigid bolts. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may include waterproofing materials, for example, waterproof weatherstrips that may be placed along the edges of the frame in order to prevent air or water intrusion from the exterior space to the interior space when the frame is conjoined with another frame from an adjacent shelter. In some embodiments, a portable shelter that is conjoined with one or more similar portable shelters may be disassembled into a single portable shelter as described herein to, for example, allow each individual shelter to be manually moved from one location to another.

In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may be disassembled into its component parts. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may be disassembled into a flat pack. In some embodiments, a portable shelter as described herein may be disassembled into a pack that may be less than about 50% of its assembled volume.

With reference now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the portable shelter 100 in its retracted configuration is shown to have a rigid frame 118, on to which front panel 102, door-side panel 105 with hinged, lockable entry door 106, and roof panel 104 are attached. The front panel 102 includes an outward hinged, lockable window 103, and the entry door 106 includes an outward hinged, lockable window 107 to allow for ventilation into the interior space. For maneuverability and towing capability, the portable shelter includes a tow handle 101, steerable front wheels 108 a, and fixed rear wheels 108 b.

Referring to FIG. 2 which depicts a rear isometric view of the present invention in the retracted configuration, the portable shelter 100 shows the main cabin, also known as the primary section 109, being attached to the rigid frame 118. The first telescopic, segmented slide-out cabin, also known as the secondary section 110, slides along the rigid frame 118 into the primary section 109 in the retracted configuration, and slides out of the primary section 109 in the extended configuration. The second telescopic, segmented slide-out cabin, also known as the tertiary section 111, slides into the secondary section 110 in the retracted configuration, and slides out of the secondary section 110 in the extended configuration. The tertiary section 111 also includes a hinged, lockable window 112 to allow for ventilation and the access of light into the interior space.

Referring to FIG. 3 which depicts a front isometric view of the present invention in the extended configuration, the portable shelter 100 shows the primary section 109, the fully extended secondary section 110, and the fully extended tertiary section 111.

Referring to FIG. 4 which depicts a rear isometric view of the present invention in the extended configuration, the primary section 109, the fully extended secondary section 110, and the fully extended tertiary section 111 is shown. The tertiary section 111 contains the detachable wall panel 113 that contains the hinged window 112. The secondary and tertiary sections 110, 111 also include retractable hinged leg supports 114 that swing out from underneath these telescopic slide-out sections. These leg supports provide reinforcement and stability to the slide-out sections when the portable shelter is in the extended configuration.

Referring to FIG. 5 which depicts a door-side end view of the present invention, a middle- or average-sized portable shelter 100 is shown in relative scale to an average-sized human male adult P1 to provide an overall view of the dimensions of one scale embodiment of the invention, approximately 1.75 meters in length, 1.0 meter in width, and 1.75 meters in height.

Referring to FIG. 6 which depicts a front-end view of the present invention in the retracted configuration and a front-end view of the present invention in the extended configuration, the portable shelter 100 is shown in relative scale to an average-sized human male adult P1 to provide an overall view of the dimensions of a middle- or average-sized embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 which depicts a door-side isometric view of the present invention in the retracted configuration, the portable shelter 100 with the side entry door 106 open is shown, exposing the interior space 200, the detachable primary section floor storage bin 204, and the detachable secondary section floor storage bin 205 stacked on top of floor storage bin 204.

Referring to FIG. 8 which depicts a door-side isometric view of the present invention in the extended configuration, the portable shelter 100 with the side entry door 106 open is shown, exposing the interior space 200, which is almost triple in volume of the interior space in the retracted configuration because of the full telescopic extension of sections 110 and 111 from section 109.

Referring to FIG. 9 which depicts a door-side isometric cutaway view of the present invention in the retracted configuration, the portable shelter 100 is shown with the compact interior space 200.

Referring to FIG. 10 which depicts a door-side isometric cutaway view of the present invention in the extended configuration, the portable shelter 100 is shown with the extended interior space comprising of primary section interior 201, secondary section interior 202 and tertiary section interior 203. The secondary and tertiary sections 110 and 111 are prevented from over-extending past the fully extended configuration by side slide-out guard plates 123 fastened to sections 110 and 111. FIG. 21 illustrates in further detail how these slide-out guard plates perform during the slide-out sequence.

Referring to FIG. 11 which depicts a door-side isometric cutaway view of the present invention in the retracted configuration, the compact interior space 200 easily accommodates an average-size human adult male P1 in a reclined, sleeping position.

Referring to FIG. 12 which depicts a door-side isometric cutaway view of the present invention in the extended configuration, the combined interior spaces 201, 202 and 203 can accommodate an average-size human adult male P1, an average-size human adult female P2, and two average-size human children P3 and P4 in reclined, sleeping positions.

Referring to FIG. 13 which depicts an underside, isometric view of the telescopic slide-out sequence to extend the portable shelter from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, sequence steps L1 through L7 are shown. Sequence step L1 shows the primary section 109 of the refugee wagon in the fully retracted configuration. Sequence step L2 shows the secondary section 110 extending out of primary section 109. The hinged leg supports 114 are seen folded underneath section 110. Sequence step L3 shows the leg supports 114 unfolding out. Sequence step L4 shows the leg supports 114 fully unfolded and ready for bearing load. Sequence step L5 shows the tertiary section 111 extending out of secondary section 110. The hinged leg supports 114 are seen folded underneath section 111. Sequence step L6 shows the leg supports 114 unfolding out. Sequence step L7 shows the leg supports 114 fully unfolded and ready for bearing load and providing stability.

Referring to FIG. 14 which depicts an isometric cutaway view of the telescopic slide-out sequence to extend the portable shelter from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, sequence steps F1 through F5 are shown to show the expansion of the interior space as well as the form and function of the detachable floor storage bins within the interior space. Sequence step F1 shows the portable shelter in the fully retracted configuration containing the detachable primary section floor storage bin 204, and the detachable secondary section floor storage bin 205 stacked on top of floor storage bin 204. Sequence step F2 shows the portable shelter in the fully extended configuration, exposing the primary section interior space 201 and secondary section interior space 202. The floor elevation of interior spaces 201 and 202 are not level to each other. The floor storage bins 204 and 205 are still contained inside the tertiary section. Sequence step F3 shows the secondary section floor storage bin 205 stacking on top of floor level in interior space 202, and primary section floor storage bin 204 stacking on top of floor level in interior space 201. In sequence step F4, the height measurement of storage bins 204 and 205 are dimensioned so that a level floor is achieved between the top surfaces of storage bins 204 and 205 and the floor level of the tertiary section interior space 203. The level floor surface across the entire extended interior space provides a comfortable and continuous base to lay cushions, blankets and sleeping bags for sleeping accommodations. Hinged doors 206 on the storage bins 204 and 205 allow easy access to stored items from within the extended interior space. Sequence step F5 shows the hinged doors 206 open to expose the interior floor storage space 207 which may contain essential items for refugee survival such as blankets, clothing, first aid kit, dried food, containers, water bottles and toiletries.

FIG. 15 depicts an isometric cutaway view which details the slide out sequence S1 through S3 between the secondary section 110 and the tertiary section 111 of the portable shelter in regard to the latch bolt lock and slide-out guard plates used to prevent the secondary and tertiary sections from over-extending out of the telescopic slide-out range. In sequence step S1, the tertiary section 111 is still in the retracted configuration. The slide-out guard plate 123 is attached to the rigid frame of the tertiary section. Take note of the rigid frame 124 of the secondary section. The expanded view in S1 shows the latch bolt 121 located on the rigid frame of the secondary section latched the latch eye 122 located on the rigid frame of the tertiary section. This latch lock prevents the tertiary section from extending out when the refugee wagon is being towed. In sequence step S2, the tertiary section 111 is in the process of extending halfway out of the secondary section 110. The slide-out guard plates 123 will meet with the rigid frame 124 of the secondary section. The expanded view shows that the latch bolt 121 is unlatched from the latch eye 122, so that the tertiary section is free to extend out. In sequence step S3, the tertiary section 111 is fully extended out from the secondary section 110. The slide-out guard plates have met flush with the rigid frame 124 of the secondary section, preventing over-extension of the tertiary section past the telescopic slide-out range. Note that although FIG. 15 depicts illustrations of the slide-out guards and latch mechanisms between the secondary and tertiary sections, the same slide-out guards and latch mechanisms with the same functionality exist between the primary and secondary sections.

FIG. 16 depicts an isometric view of the portable shelter demonstrating the detachable front panel 102, door-side panel 105 and rear panel 115 which can be unfastened from the rigid frame 118 of the primary section 109. In FIG. 16, an expanded view of the rear panel 115 shows the unfastening of the carriage bolt 116 from the panel. For added security, the carriage bolt nut is fastened and unfastened internally from within the interior space of the portable shelter. Additionally, the unfastening of the carriage bolt allows for the removal of the panel from within the interior space to create an emergency exit to the exterior space. In the expanded view, a weatherstrip 117 attached to the rigid frame 118 provides a weatherproof seal between the rigid frame and the rear panel if the carriage bolt 116 is fastened firmly. The removal of front, door-side and rear panels allows for the portable shelter to conjoin rigidly with other portable shelters.

FIG. 17 depicts an isometric view of a plurality of three portable shelters in the process of being rigidly conjoined to form a single multiple unit enclosure which allows for shared access of the internal spaces of the conjoined refugee wagons. Portable shelter 300 a retains front panel 102 while door-side and rear panels are detached. Portable shelter 300 b has front, door-side and rear panels detached. Portable shelter 300 c retains rear panel 115 while front and door-side panels are detached. Portable shelters 300 a, 300 b and 300 c are conjoined by sliding the units adjacent to each other and fastening their rigid frames 118 together. The resulting enclosure 300 is formed, providing a shared access to interior space 300 a.1, interior space 300 b.1 and interior space 300 c.1.

FIG. 18 depicts an isometric cutaway view of a plurality of two portable shelters in the process of being rigidly conjoined. The conjoined unit 400 consists of two portable shelters 400 a and 400 b with interior spaces 400 a.1 and 400 b.1 respectively. In FIG. 18, an expanded view of the area of conjoining is shown. The expanded view illustrates the fastening of the carriage bolt 116 through holes centered in corner braces 119 located at each corner of the rigid frame 118. When the rigid frames of both refugee wagons are fastened tightly, the weatherstrip 117 provides a weatherproof seal to prevent water from entering the interior space. It is worth noting that the carriage bolt 116 used in fastening the rigid frames together is the same carriage bolt used for fastening the side panels to the rigid frame. It is also worth noting that separation of the conjoined unit back to single unit portable shelters can be achieved by unfastening the carriage bolts and re-attaching the side panels back to the rigid frames.

FIG. 19 depicts an isometric cutaway view of a plurality of two portable shelters after being rigidly conjoined. The conjoined unit 400 consists of two portable shelters 400 a and 400 b with interior spaces 400 a.1 and 400 b.1 respectively. In FIG. 19, the expanded view shows the fastened carriage bolt 116 and hex or wing nut 120 holding the corner braces 119 and rigid frames 118. A tight weatherproof seal is formed between the weatherstrips 117 of adjoining rigid frames 118.

FIG. 20 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary configuration of a plurality of five conjoined portable shelters. It is worth noting that such a configuration is not limiting to the amount or configuration design of conjoined pluralities of portable shelters. In FIG. 20, the conjoined unit 500 consists of five portable shelters 500 a, 500 b, 500 c, 500 d and 500 e. The conjoined unit has an entry 121 through the entry door of refugee wagon 500 a.

FIG. 21 depicts isometric cutaway view of the exemplary conjoined unit established FIG. 20. The drawing illustrates the shared interior spaces 500 a.1, 500 b.1, 500 c.1, 500 d.1 and 500 e.1 between the five conjoined portable shelters. There are many practical applications for a conjoined interior space such as a temporary house, school, emergency field hospital or community area that can accommodate dozens of people.

FIG. 22 depicts the isometric view of another configuration of an exemplary plurality of five conjoined portable shelters where the entrance is flanked by conjoined units on either side to provide protection and privacy.

FIG. 23 depicts the isometric view of another configuration of an exemplary plurality of ten conjoined portable shelters capable of accommodating 40 people.

FIG. 24 depicts the isometric view of a cluster of the exemplary configuration of conjoined portable shelters in FIG. 23 capable of accommodating 160 people within an encampment;

FIG. 25 depicts the isometric expanded view of the independent adjustable leg height using pre-defined holes 127 on a telescopic shaft 128 housed within an outer leg sleeve 125. A clevis-pinned dowel 126 secures the adjustable telescopic shaft in place.

FIG. 26 depicts the isometric view of the portable shelter 129 with the ability to be disassembled into component parts 130 and stacked into a flat-packed configuration 131 and stored in a crate 132 in order to reduce shipment volume and increase the number of deployable dwellings per shipment to an encampment site. The reduction in volume in the flat-packed configuration could be approximately 50% or less, thus allowing at least twice the number of portable shelters to be shipped within a given volume of available space.

FIG. 27 depicts the isometric view of a comparison of the containment of the portable shelter in the disassembled flat-pack configuration 133 and the fully assembled portable shelters 134 within a standard 40-foot shipping container 135. In the fully assembled configuration, a standard shipping container can hold up to 12 portable shelters which can accommodate up to a total of 48 people. In the flat-pack configuration, the standard shipping container can hold up to 27 portable shelters which can accommodate up to a total of 108 people.

FIG. 28 provides a schematic of the range of possible scales for the present invention. Such limits to the contemplated scale are encompassed within the first requirement to be large enough to allow at least one person to lie prone within a deployed shelter (the minimum size) and the second requirement that the portable shelter be hand-towable by a single person over a flat surface (the maximum size). In retracted mode, the exterior dimensions of the present invention in different embodiments could vary from an exterior length of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 meters, an exterior width of approximately 0.75 to 1.25 meters, and an exterior height of approximately 1.25 to 2.5 meters. Fully-deployed, as at an encampment, the exterior length and height would remain the same as in the retracted mode, and the exterior width would extend approximately from the travel width of 0.75 to 1.25 meters to a deployed exterior width of about 2.0 to 3.65 meters.

The present invention has been described with regard to one or more embodiments. However, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable shelter comprising a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the portable shelter comprising: a rigid enclosure, the rigid enclosure comprising a primary section and one or more extendable secondary sections, wherein each secondary section is substantially nested within the primary section or a further secondary section in the retracted configuration; a wheel attached to the underside of the primary section; and a ground support for the secondary section in the extended configuration,
 2. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the primary section comprises a rigid frame attachable to a roof section, a floor section and a plurality of wall sections.
 3. The portable shelter of claim 2 wherein the floor section comprises storage.
 4. The portable shelter of claim 2 wherein the wall sections are detachable.
 5. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the secondary section is attachable to the primary section or to a further secondary section and comprises a roof section, a floor section and a plurality of wall sections.
 6. The portable shelter of claim 5 wherein the floor section comprises storage.
 7. The portable shelter of claim 5 wherein the wall sections are detachable.
 8. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the wheel is steerable.
 9. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the portable shelter comprises at least two wheels.
 10. The portable shelter of claim 9 further comprising two fixed wheels.
 11. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the external dimensions of the primary section are about two meters in length, one meter in width, and one meter in height.
 12. The portable shelter of claim 1, wherein the portable shelter is dimensioned to receive an adult human in the retracted configuration.
 13. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the ground support is adjustable.
 14. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the portable shelter comprises a tow handle.
 15. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the portable shelter is manually towable by a single adult human.
 16. The portable shelter of claim 1 comprising a door, or a window, or both.
 17. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the portable shelter is waterproof or weather resistant.
 18. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein a plurality of shelters are conjoined.
 19. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the portable shelter is capable of being disassembled.
 20. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the portable shelter is disassembled into a flat pack. 